Bottom Painting & Anti-Fouling Service
Provide hull cleaning, bottom painting, and anti-fouling services
Overview
Bottom painting services charge $15-$35 per linear foot.
Painting 80-200 boats annually (average 30 feet) generates $100,000-$350,000 with 60-75% margins.
In 2025, boats require annual or bi-annual bottom maintenance.
Services include bottom cleaning and prep ($300-$1,200), anti-fouling paint application ($800-$3,500 for 30-foot boat), barrier coat application ($1,200-$4,000), bottom paint removal ($500-$2,000), through-hull service ($200-$600), and blister repair prep ($400-$2,000).
Successful bottom painting provides thorough surface prep, uses quality marine paints, completes work on schedule, works in boat yards with haul-out, and schedules efficiently.
Spring rush drives seasonal revenue.
Marketing through marinas, boat yards, yacht clubs, and boat owner associations.
Required Skills
- Bottom Painting
- Surface Preparation
- Marine Coatings
- Equipment Operation
- Scheduling
- Quality Control
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Annual recurring service
- All boats in water need bottom paint
- Strong spring season demand
- Can build repeat customer base
- Boat yards provide customer base
Cons
- Highly seasonal (spring/fall)
- Physical demanding work
- Competition from boat yards
- Weather delays spring work
- Paint fumes and hazards
How to Get Started
- Learn bottom painting techniques
- Partner with boat yards for haul-out
- Invest in painting equipment and supplies
- Schedule spring painting season
- Market to boat owners and marinas
- Provide quality prep and application
- Build repeat customer base
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